Transitional Kindergarten (TK) at a Glance

TK Sample Daily Schedule

A typical day in the life of a student may include…

Morning Meeting

Math Workshop

Break (for Snack and Play!)

Phonics

Reader’s Workshop

Lunch & Recess

Writer’s Workshop

Social Emotional Learning Block

Inquiry Projects

Play Workshop/Open-Ended Choice Time (dramatic play, centers, etc.)

Read Aloud

School-Day Specials (Art, Music, PE, etc. throughout the week)

After-School Enrichments available for students to opt-in

To encourage and inspire youth to be lifelong learners of self, community and the world.

TK Philosophy

What makes our TK program special?

Developing and Teaching the Whole Child: CWC’s whole-child approach supports and nurtures all areas of children’s development and learning. From social-emotional and cognitive skills to academic content understanding to physical well-being, this holistic approach is a powerful strategy as children transition to TK and begin their elementary school journey:

Project-based and Inquiry-based Constructivist Learning– We create engaging opportunities to develop high level critical thinking in a creative experiential manner by providing students with multiple strategies to approach materials and different ways to participate and demonstrate understanding. Our TK teachers involve our students in developmentally appropriate inquiry projects that engage and harness the imagination of 4 and young 5 year olds. These projects beautifully interweave a learning about the world and academic topics to also embedding opportunities for students to learn how to collaborate and work together in meaningful ways
Social and Emotional Learning- Our robust SEL program supports our youngest learners in developing self-awareness, social awareness, self-management, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making through explicit SEL lessons, conflict resolution programs, mindfulness, and more. Through programs like Cool Tools, Responsive Classroom and Mind Up, even our youngest students are involved in daily social emotional learning that develops both inter and intra personal skills.
Integrated and Diverse Learning- The school day is balanced with large group, small group, and individual opportunities, as well as indoor and outdoor activities, active and calm time, along with free choice and teacher-directed lessons. We believe that TK students when there is a balance between play and open-ended choice time as well as more guided parts of the day as well. CWC is proud of a balanced approach to learning that is geared to the beautiful developmental stage of our youngest students.

Transitional Kindergarten (FAQs)

What is TK?

Transitional Kindergarten, or TK for short, allows for students whose fifth birthday occurs during the year to enroll. These students would enter Kindergarten the following year.

What are the age requirements for TK entry?

We are excited to share that all students who turn five before September 2, 2023 are eligible to apply to CWC’s TK program for the 2022-23 school year!

For students applying for the 2023-24 school year, due to state requirements, priority will be given to students who turn five between September 2, 2023 and April 2, 2024. Following admission in the school’s lottery, the school will conduct a developmental assessment to determine readiness for TK for all students who turn 5 between April 3, 2024 and September 1, 2024.

Students who turn five between April 3, 2024 and September 1, 2024 will be invited to the school for a developmental assessment once the school has verified that there is capacity in the TK class(es).

Students who turn five between April 3, 2024 and September 1, 2024 and who have not received confirmation of enrollment following the developmental assessment are not fully enrolled in the school and should plan accordingly.

For students applying for the 2024-25 school year, priority will be given to students who turn five between September 2, 2024 and June 2, 2025. If there is sufficient availability in a classroom, students who turn five between June 3, 2025 and September 1, 2025 will be admitted to the school.

For the 2025-26 school year and every year thereafter, all students will be given the same priority level.

Does CWC currently offer TK?

Yes! All CWC schools have offered TK programs for many years. We have a strong team of TK teachers and a well-developed program.

When should I apply?

The rules for TK applications are the same as for all other grade levels except for the prioritization listed above. We encourage all families to apply early because applications submitted after the lottery dates will be placed on the waitlist and provided an offer as seats become available.

When do I apply?

Prospective CWC applicants must submit an application via SchoolMint.

Can I take a tour?

Absolutely! We welcome all prospective families to take an in-person and/or virtual tour. Our Enrollment Coordinators and School Leadership can provide you with further information about each CWC School during these sessions, and help provide insight into our Learning Model, School Culture and more! Please click [HERE] to sign up for a tour!

Teacher Highlight

Ms.Peñuelas

TK Teacher (CWC Mar Vista)

Click + to read my bio!

I am a first generation Chicana from Inglewood, CA who is passionate about outdoor learning, Anti-biased Anti-Racist (ABAR) teaching, and STEM/ Coding.

I earned my Bachelors in Deaf Education in 2015 from California State University of Northridge, later worked throughout Mexico and returned to the US to obtain my Masters in Bilingual Education from Loyola Marymount University in 2019. I currently teach TK by day and by night I teach graduate students at USC Viterbi School of Engineering.

As a culturally relevant educator, I strive for academic achievement in ethnically, linguistically, socioeconomically diverse populations. My goal is to allow students to learn through their own cultural and experiential filters. I encourage students to create their own interpretations without influencing or incorporating my own biases. I want students to know that no matter where you come from, you can do and be anything you want.

In my free time I am a Garden Director. I serve as a community liaison and bring free cooking classes, gardening, and STEM to The City of Inglewood at 3 community gardens. I love getting my hands dirty and using sustainable gardening techniques.

Mr.Omari

TK Teacher (CWC Hollywood)

Click + to read my bio!

I joined CWCH as a Transitional Kindergarten Teacher in the 2022-2023 school year. I sought out the CWC community because of its focus on project-based learning, the whole-child approach to cultivate multiple intelligences, and social activism with a global perspective.

Prior to joining CWC I worked in corporate marketing for 15 years, all the while volunteering with education non-profits such as the SOUL Foundation, Hands-on-DC, and buildOn. These volunteer roles gave me purpose and uplifted me, which lead me to transition out of the corporate world in 2016. Most recently I taught Kindergarten in Chicago Public Schools. As an educator in Chicago, I saw students and families enhance their potential when immersed in purposeful, thorough, innovative education. While I continue to support educational advancement for the Chicago community, I find purpose in expanding the educational tenets cultivated at CWC.

Ms.Flynn

TK Teacher (CWC East Valley)

Click + to read my bio!

After a successful 35-year career as a sound editor for television and film, Cathy became eligible for early retirement and felt the calling to make a positive impact on the lives of young children. She bolted into her new career, earning her 2018 Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from Cal State Northridge in just two semesters, and has since taught TK, kindergarten and 1st grade. Always the eager student, she also possesses a BA and MA in Communication Arts from Loyola Marymount University, an MS in Library Science from Clarion University, a Transitional Kindergarten Certificate of Achievement from Santa Monica College, and has participated in hundreds of additional hours of professional development in education.

She was drawn to its emphasis on student-centered, joyful learning, commitment to diversity and inclusion, strong community building, and their cutting edge search for best practices in academics.

In her free time, she enjoys reading, walking her two dogs, learning new things (especially how to become a better educator), and spending time with friends and her large extended family. Cathy looks forward to increasing that realm, and making the entire CWC East Valley community a part of her growing family.